We recently connected with William Banks and have shared our conversation below.

Hi William, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In 2014 I auditioned for the BB KINGS cruise tour. Drove to Memphis TN and auditioned and made the cut. So I thought. Didn’t hear back from them for a couple months. Heard there was going to be an audition in Nashville. I auditioned and got the gig. But they were only looking for tenor saxophonist and not Alto which was what I played and auditioned on. He asked if I played tenor sax. I answered no sir not at the moment but I can learn. He gave me the gig and my leave date was 3 months from when I auditioned. My trumpet player and brother Frederick Weathersby said to me “sometimes you gotta take a chance on yourself and take the risk. Trust me it’ll be worth it”. Needless to say I learned to play tennis back within 2 months and was ready for tour March 2015.

William, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am BlackSax. Born and raised in Atlanta GA and grew up in Nashville TN. A veteran saxophone player taught by Sonny Emory Sr, Dr Reginald McDonald(Tennessee State University head band director). I got my start at Southwest DeKalb high School in Decatur, ga. Moved to Nashville, TN in 2003. Coming to Nashville really shaped my talent as a musician. From being a homeless musician playing down town corners for tips to being a touring musician as one of the BB Kings all-stars. In 2008 I fully embrace becoming the artist known as BlackSax. I play with various bands and artists locally, nationally and internationally. L.X.G. , QUENTIN MICHAEL MUSIC GROUP and TheDeepPockets. BlackSax is known for “Putting paint where it ain’t and color like no other” with melodious harmonies and deep rhythms. What makes me most satisfied and fulfilled is seeing and feeling the energy of the crowd as they hang on to the melodies from my ladies (my horns) “Geraldine” and “Macie”.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a artist is being in that place in the sky where artist hang. Feeling the love, honor and respect on and off stage from My Village, fans and my artistic community.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non creatives often times struggle with understanding the perseverance it takes to be a creative artist. The long nights in the studio, rehearsals, tour life etc. . We often times deep dive into a project and will put up your last dime to get things done. We feel our art in a deeper passionate way. It runs through our veins. It’s constantly in our thought pattern. I listen to music all day long in just about everything I do. Firm believer in the phrase”If it don’t touch my soul, I can’t listen to it” .

Contact Info:

• Instagram: blacksax1
• Facebook: The Black Sax

Image Credits

Donzaleigh’s Photography
Smiling Memories photography
Visuals by Lynn